Chapter 3: The Eighth-Level Altar (Part 1)

Guo Shieru took out a jade talisman and said, “I’m looking for someone. Senior… could you take a look and see if you’ve seen these two?” He handed over the talisman with its imprint still visible.
Yao Zebusong was somewhat surprised. He knew well how difficult it was to find people in this world. After examining the talisman, he shook his head and said, “No, I haven’t seen these two.” Then he handed the talisman to his subordinates, saying, “Everyone, take a look. If anyone has seen them, let the young man know.” Since he couldn’t recruit them, he still wanted to maintain good relations with them.
The talisman was passed around among everyone, but no one recognized it.
Guo Shieru retrieved the talisman in disappointment, sighing inwardly—finding people in this world was truly too difficult. But after thinking about it, he resigned himself to it. Even in his past life, it was hard to find someone without an address or any information. Moreover, with countless continents and secret realms in this world, searching without a clear location was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Eagle Demon reassured him, “Shieru, don’t rush. Let’s search slowly.”
Guo Shieru smiled bitterly. “There’s not much time left.” Li Ran was still waiting at the Gu Mi Luo family, and they didn’t have much time to wander around outside.
Luo Zhan also comforted him, “It’s okay. The information we got this time mentioned the Golden Flame Well. Even if we can’t find them right away, at least we now have a clue. We’ll keep searching in this area… Hmm, Shieru, only if your master has reached the strength of the fifth-level altar can he enter the Golden Flame Well. If not, they won’t be able to get in.”
Guo Shieru was stunned and said, “That’s right. We should go to the continents near the Golden Flame Well to search.” He asked Yao Zebusong, “Senior, do you know the continents around here?” He wasn’t sure whether his master and masteress had already reached the fifth-level altar. It was extremely difficult for a professional to advance, especially after reaching the altar level.
Yao Zebusong replied, “I’m not sure. I also came from a very distant place.”
Yu Zhong stepped forward and said, “I know. Yao Yao can help you.” He turned to Yao Yao and said, “Take them and search the continents near the Golden Flame Well.” Then he gave her a subtle signal.
Yao Yao understood immediately and said, “Yes, senior. Let’s leave the talisman array first.” Yu Zhong meant for her to stay as far away from Yao Zebusong’s sight as possible. Otherwise, with so much time at hand, who knew what that guy might do? If he changed his mind and wanted Yao Yao to stay, he would be helpless.
After thanking him with a bow, Guo Shieru flew away with Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan, following Yao Yao.

Yao Zebusong watched Guo Shier and the others leave before smiling and saying, “Haha, let’s go to the Golden Flame Well. I really want to see… this legendary magical place.”
Yu Zhong sighed deeply. It was thanks to the Golden Flame Well that he had advanced to the eighth-tier altar. This place had greatly enhanced the strength of the Ancient Secret Sect and some nearby ancient families. He knew well that once the Yuanke Alliance got involved and reaped benefits, it would be difficult for this place to remain peaceful as before.
A professional from the Yuanke Alliance who was at the sixth-tier altar said, “Ancestor, that person’s strength isn’t that great either. He’s only at the seventh-tier altar. Why not recruit him…” He had never been to Bone Mountain, so he didn’t know Guo Shier. Out of curiosity, given Yao Zebusong’s character, there was no reason to pass up such a skilled person. He couldn’t understand why he was treated so politely.
Many of Yao Zebusong’s subordinates had been to Bone Mountain, and some knew Guo Shier. However, most of the Yuanke Alliance’s experts were recruited from various circles. This person was new, and although he was skilled, he was rather arrogant, so he didn’t have many friends. No one had told him these things.
Yao Zebusong said, “That man’s name is Guo Shier. Just thinking about his spirit beast gives me chills.”
The professional looked surprised, shook his head, and stopped talking. Though he still had some doubts, he didn’t dare ask further.
Yu Zhong smiled bitterly inwardly. He had also seen Guo Shier’s tactics and knew how formidable he was. He remained silent, feeling down. Being forcibly recruited filled him with displeasure, but he knew well that this was how the world worked—unless one reached the ninth-tier altar, they couldn’t do as they pleased.
Yao Zebusong was very happy. He said, “Alright, let’s go in together. Brother Yu Zhong, could you go in once more? Hehe.” He was extremely proud to have been able to recruit a skilled person like Yu Zhong, his face brimming with smiles.
…
Back on the Central Golden Continent, Yao Yao opened the talisman gate and said, “Let’s go to the Tang Continent. There’s an Ancient Tang family there. It’s impossible for just the few of us to find the person. We should go to the Ancient Tang family… and let them do the searching.”
Guo Shier stepped out of the talisman gate and asked, “Is the Tang Continent the continent where the Ancient Tang family resides?”
Yao Yao nodded. “Yes. The Ancient Tang family relies on our Ancient Secret Sect.” She actually had ulterior motives—she wanted to spread the news of Yu Zhong’s departure through the Ancient Tang family. As for finding the person, that was just a side matter.

Guo Shier knew that some major sects and noble families would have affiliated families and sects, which was beneficial for both sides—usually a mutually agreed arrangement. He asked again, “Is this family large?”
Yao Yao replied, “Not really. The Gutang family has been in decline for a long time. Their most powerful ancestor is just a professional at the fourth-tier altar, and they don’t even control several continents. In our area, they’re considered a relatively weak family. If it weren’t for relying on our Gumi Sect, they would have been swallowed up by other ancient families long ago.”
Eagle Demon asked, “How far is it to our destination?”
Yao Yao said, “Not far. The coordinates of my Fumeng Sect are set a hundred miles outside Gutang City. We’ll arrive in a moment.” With the four of them’s strength, flying a hundred miles would take only a few minutes.
Guo Shier casually scanned the area and saw large fields of farmland as well as many villages. He landed on a dirt road and smiled, “Let’s walk over. Hehe, this place gives off a… very friendly feeling.” Having just come from a strange place, the presence of inhabited areas made him feel like he’d returned to the human world—a warm and comfortable sensation.
Yao Yao frowned slightly but didn’t object either and landed on the ground. The four of them walked slowly along the dirt road. She raised her hand and sent a message token, saying, “I’ll have the Gutang family get ready.”
Guo Shier took a step forward, covering more than ten meters in one go. He said, “This place feels good—very peaceful and calm.” This journey to the Golden Flame Well had made his soul restless. Prolonged battles and cultivation had left him extremely uncomfortable, but seeing such a serene landscape improved his mood.
Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan nodded in agreement, deeply moved. Eagle Demon laughed and said, “Back in the day, after fighting and hunting on the great plains, I always had to return to the city where the Beast Talisman Sect was located to spend a few months relaxing…”
Luo Zhan sighed, “The Beast Talisman Sect… no longer exists.”
Guo Shier said, “Yes. That’s the tragedy of the lower continents—once discovered, there’s no other choice but to be plundered or occupied.”
Yao Yao remained silent and followed the three forward.
Suddenly, Guo Shier looked up and saw more than a dozen flying vehicles approaching from afar. They quickly reached the sky, circled once, and then landed. Yao Yao said, “They’re here to pick us up.”
Dozens of professionals ran down from the flying vehicles and approached the four of them. The leader was a fat man. Guo Shier glanced at them and said, “Professionals at the fourth-tier altar.”

The fat man hurried over to Yao Yao and said with great respect, “Tang Da greets Elder Yao Yao.” After saying that, he waved his hand, and the group of professionals following behind said in unison, “We greet Elder Yao Yao.”

Guo Shier was slightly taken aback and watched with a half-smile, while Ying Mo and Luo Zhan stood silently behind him.

Yao Yao waved her hand impatiently and asked, “Has the message been sent out?”

Tang Da replied eagerly, “As soon as I received the message token, I sent people to the Ancient Secret Sect. The message should have reached the sect by now… Um, who are these elders?” Not able to gauge the levels of Guo Shier and the others, he asked cautiously.

Guo Shier was already accustomed to the procedures for professional encounters and said, “Seventh-tier altar, Guo Shier.”

Ying Mo and Luo Zhan stepped forward and said, “Fifth-tier altar, Ying Mo.” “Fifth-tier altar, Luo Zhan.”

Tang Da’s expression changed instantly as well, and he stepped forward, saying, “Elder of the Ancient Tang family, fourth-tier altar, Tang Da. I greet these elders.” Thinking that Guo Shier and the others were elders of the Ancient Secret Sect, he became even more respectful. Professionals from the seventh-tier altar were also top-tier figures in the Ancient Secret Sect, likely holding a higher status than Elder Yao Yao.

Guo Shier was too lazy to explain, and Yao Yao, preoccupied with her own thoughts, also didn’t explain. She said, “Let’s enter the city first.”

Tang Da said loudly, “Please, please get on the flying vehicle, hehe.”

Everyone got on the flying vehicle and flew quickly toward Ancient Tang City. A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination—the reception hall of the Ancient Tang family.

Guo Shier didn’t waste time and immediately took out a jade token, handed it to Tang Da, and asked if he had seen Ku Mu and Monier.

Soon, many copies of the jade token were made and distributed quickly, along with a large bounty. The Ancient Tang family didn’t dare to neglect matters handled by an elder from the seventh-tier altar. Every family longed for experts; even if they couldn’t bring them into the family as elders, it was still necessary to maintain good relations.